55 Since '55 - The Colts Throw Back

By Phil Hecken, on August 4th, 2010

By Phil Hecken

Yesterday, the Baltimore Indianapolis Colts announced they will be wearing a throwback for 2010. This in and of itself is not notable — lots of teams throwback. This year alone, the Packers, Bears and Eagles have all announced they’ll be wearing special throwback uniforms for the 2010 season. It had been widely rumored the Colts would as well, and on Monday, in a small ticker item, we got our first glance at the throwback helmet.

What was odd about this was (1) the team will be wearing a ROAD (white) throwback, and (2) they will be wearing it for their pre-season opener (August 15, 2010, against the San Francisco 49ers). I can’t ever recall a team wearing a throwback uniform during the pre-season, much less introducing it for their opener. I have no knowledge as to whether it will be worn during the season, but one could probably assume so.

Blue Helmets Return: The uniform the Colts will be throwing to is from the year 1955. The Colts have worn blue helmets twice in their history: the first time, in their inaugural season of 1953, they wore a plain blue helmet. Uni Watch historian Tim Brulia noted they wore the plain blue helmet for a “couple of night games and a day game.” In 1954, the Colts had both a blue and a white helmet; the white had a single blue stripe, while the blue was adorned with a white stripe and two horseshoes at the rear of the helmet. They would keep the blue helmet until the end of the 1955 season, never to be worn again. In 1956, the Colts switched to a white helmet with the blue horseshoes. For their Thanksgiving game in 2004, against the Lions, the Colts wore 1956 throwbacks. The 1955 and 1956 road (white) jerseys were identical. By 1957, the Colts moved to a uniform that has largely unchanged for more than 50 years.

In with the old: This is of course, not dramatically different from the uniform they wear today. As you are no doubt aware, the uniform they wear today is basically what they first wore in 1957. For a pretty good analysis of the Colts uniform history, check out my Super Bowl uni-history breakdown, and scroll down to the Colts section.

As mentioned above, the Colts threwback to their 1956 duds in 2004 (here’s another view). That is, to my knowledge, the only time (aside from 1994 for the NFL’s league-wide 75th anniversary celebration), they have ever “thrown back” (or worn a ‘alternate’ uniform). Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon your perspective), the Colts didn’t really throw back in 1994, basically wearing their current uniform at the time (which technically, because of only minor changes, could have been a 1957 throwback). So, with this new 1955 “alternate,” this will be the first time “home” (Indy) fans will see their beloved Colts in a throwback. And the “white at home” is an odd choice, because they did NOT wear their white jerseys at home in 1955.

According to Timmy Brulia, in his tremendous “White At Home” research project, the Colts have only worn white at home a few times:

Not much reason was given for the throwback to 1955 (unless the Colts are borrowing the Los Angeles Dodgers odd gimmick of “55 since ’55”), but if the Colts were seeking to introduce an alternate (throwback), they had to go back pretty far into their history. It’s probably a LOT better than introducing a new alternate.

According to the press release, Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay states, “Our uniform design has changed little through the decades and is among the most recognizable in all of sports. This is a chance for our fans to see a Colts uniform with a different twist, in a classic throwback at Lucas Oil Stadium.”

So, how’d they do? I guess we’ll need to wait until the game to know for sure, but it looks like they have pretty much nailed, as best they can with modern materials and uniform cuts, the original. Not that they had too many changes to make. The most striking difference will of course be the blue helmet, while the rest of the uniform will not be much different from what they currently wear.

And now, I bring those members in stirrup nation an important message from Comrade Marshall:

~~~

Dosvestirrvps Comrades~

TCK was shut down for a week in early July for inventory, delaying the production of our last order, which was partially received by the Stirrupboro August 2nd, and turned around August 3rd. A stirrup company doing inventory in the summer? I know, unbelievable, details on this later, but at least what I received so far looks and fits as perfectly as anything we have ordered. In addition, I have been assured this upcoming months selections will be expedited for the revolution. Enough small talk, let’s look at this month’s offerings.

We start with a big thank you to the Tampa Rays for this slump buster. Some here have derided the stirrup for it’s columbia and white stripes being too similar in shade, but i think that preposterous. Personally, I think the Rays look as sharp as a straight razor. Seriously, can anyone think of a team that has made such monumental improvements in such a short period of time?

I had completely forgotten our next selection, the 1975 Houston Astros, until this card was posted a few weeks ago. And like most 70’s stripe patterns, it has been left off the baseball uniform database we all know and love. While I am not typically a fan of the late 60’s/70’s hosiery stylings, the debut of the tequila sunrise jersey had a corresponding stirrup, and this will be manufactured with a 7″ opening to better match the style of the day.

While I love the dynamic colour, I need to wash the 70”²s stirrup lengths out of my brain~pan. Let us look to an era of unparalleled baseball perfection for our next selection, the immediate post~war era, the 1947-48 Philadelphia Phillies wore some spectacular hose at the right proper height. To those who malign current players for their baggy pantaloons, i say how can you say that after looking at that photo? do putsy caballero and Jackie Robinson look sloppy? Heck no, they just wear right proper hose.

Finally, we come full circle on columbia blue, and finish our monthly order with MLB’s only columbia blue stirrup, 1932 Brooklyn dodgers. If I am not mistaken, that is Hack Wilson on the right, two years removed from his 191 RBI season with the Cubbies, and his first in Brooklyn. So why does our friendly uniform database show this as the 1931 look? It just goes to show kids, as fantastic as anyone’s research can be, nobody is perfect, always check the facts for yourself. These will not be the usual three stripe pattern, but separated by more distance to better emulate the actual design.

From each according his stirrvp, to each according his strype.
~comrade 91200

~~~

Ð¡Ð¿Ð°ÑÐ¸Ð±Ð¾ Comrade Marshall. To answer your question about the Brooklyn Dodgers, the picture was taken in spring training. As such they were wearing the previous year’s uniforms (forgive my poor colorization job) with their shiny new caps. That’s why Mr. Okkonen shows the uniforms for the 1931 season — because they were, even though the photo was taken in the spring of 1932.

Great stirrvp selections this month. You can put me down right now for one of each. UWers…get your orders in now!

~~~~~~~~~~

Friendly Reminder: Paul’s taking a break from the site for the month of August, but he’s still writing ESPN columns (we’ll link to them as they’re published), plus he’s on the lookout for new college football uniforms. If you spot any of those, please send him a note at this address.

Don’t forget all of Paul’s “Fire Wayne Hagin Already!” blog posts are now contained on the right side of the page in the widget. He may be taking a break from Uni Watch, but he’s still on his crusade to have Wayne removed from the Mets radio booth.

~~~~~~~~~~

Uni Watch News Ticker: Kicking off the ticker today is none other than “vacationing” UW Prexy Paul Lukas, who found this extremely amusing non-sports logo story — be sure to click on the link entitled “politely feisty response” for some geniusly written humor. … “I dunno if it’s just my crap TV,” writes UW Pollster James Huening, “but it sure looks like this kid pitching for the Cubs has plain blue numbers/letters on his jersey.” … Late Monday (missing yesterday’s ticker by mere seconds), Brian Goodwin announced that getting a UNC-Charlotte football team here has been “in the works” for a few years, but it finally appears to be super super duper official as of tonight. Also, is it “just me or is the facemask in the photo look like the stubbiest facemask ever made?” (shot 3 of 3) Also from Brian, for the really curious, this page in particular has some potential uni mock-ups “in action”. … Li’l help? Jory Fleischauer was reading a NASCAR article about the soon to be 100th race at one of their short tracks and came across this nugget: Darnell, who currently handles public relations for Dodge but was Bristol’s general manager for three years beginning in 1985, said thinking “outside of the box” wasn’t unusual for Carrier. Ironically, when the track was first built, it had a grass infield and they played an NFL exhibition game there between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles,” Darnell said. “The guys came out there and said, ‘We’re not playing in this cow pasture.’ And Larry Carrier said, ‘Yes, you are. I’ve got a contract.’ So they played the game. Apparently, that was the only game ever played at Bristol. Jory was digging for info all night and he found several places where they have stated the event occurred, but nothing more. Since the track was completed in 1961, Jory surmises that the game was played somewhere around that year. Anyone have any information, especially pictures, of this game occurring? … Matthew Philip was at the Cardinals-Astros game Monday night, and second-base ump Eric Cooper wore a plain black jersey — no sleeve number. … First time contributor Glenn Victor was watching the OSU vs Michigan game from November of 1974 on the Big Ten Network and noticed the OSU helmet being worn during the game. Says Glenn, “I’m a big OSU fan but no nothing about this helmet or recall ever seeing this. Any clues or information would be appreciated.” Welcome aboard Glenn. … Benji Boyter sent in a self-described “disturbing pic,” from the front page of Golf Magazine’s website, featuring an article on football players that love to play golf. They’ve got Jerry Rice in what appears to be a 49ers practice jersey of some sort — with a Visa logo. Adds Benji, “You’d think for the greatest receiver to play the game they could spring for something a little better, no?” … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: the Bears linemen are all wearing “Rush Men” t-shirts under their practice jerseys. … A reader who goes only by JH notes the Virginia lottery and Washington Redskins are having their scratchers game for a second year. This year though, there are 7 card designs, each with a different Redskins logo from the past. … Across the pond, Ryan Brown thought you might be interested in seeing Inside Lacrosse’s showcasing some of the best uniforms and gear at the 2010 FIL World Championships (Lacrosse World Cup) this past month in Manchester, England (also sent in by Charlie Edwards). … Kind of an update on those purple helmets that were discussed in the comments recently: A Univ. of Washington alum mentioned the different colored (purple) helmets were for players in the “110% Club”. That honor was bestowed on the player who gave 110% during the practice week leading up to Saturday’s game. He wasn’t sure if this applied to game play or not or whether there was a limit on how many players could wear the purple helmet (thanks to Phil Amaya for the tip). … Some High School uniform news comes from Terry Mark, who writes that Memorial High School in Elkhart, Indiana hired a new football coach for this season and the team is switching unis, including the helmet logo, and tweaking the color scheme from crimson and gold to crimson and yellow (a la USC). As you can see in the photo, they’re using a version of the Denver Broncos logo. Terry’s high school’s nickname is the Crimson Chargers and the football uniforms have generally used a horse motif. For years, they used the SMU pony in crimson on a gold helmet. The accompanying column describes the new look briefly (scroll about two-thirds through). … Jake Kurtz remarks on this Timberwolves uni change, per Twitter. … Jon Alvani found a semi-uni related article on this custom leather jacket, made specifically for Jay-Z. … Speaking of jackets, check out this Manchester City, Tailored by Umbro number (thanks to Kevin Hastings). Says Kevin, “Kind of shame that the sponsor is under the badge, still a terrific jacket though.” … Rico Trute thought we might like the uniforms from the Football Team Germany, who just won the European Champonship. … As a follow-up to Monday’s column on the new UFL unis, Alex Chipley writes: “As a lifelong Panther fan (or as long as they’ve existed), I have always loved their uniforms. As a fan, i have always wondered what an all-black alternate would look like, and after seeing those Florida Tuskers uniforms, I am strongly against my beloved Panthers ever wearing those god awful uniforms. Those uniforms will never look as good as the Panthers, and it’s a shame they chose our colors to represent.” But how do you really feel? … Cory Lewis was watching Monday’s Yankee game, and it was mentioned that Lance Berkman is still waiting on new Yankee bats to come in, and has been using old Astros bats in the meantime. … Kyle Mann reports the Florence Freedom of the Frontier Baseball League wore Cincinnati Bengal themed jerseys that were to be auctioned off after the game. Here is the website. Says Kyle, “so many people out there just cringe at the Bengal unis on the football field, it appaers to be even worse on the diamond.”

~~~~~~~~~~

We didn’t have steroids. If I wanted to get pumped up, I drank a case of beer. — Former Colt Art Donovan

Me, I’d like to see it go the other direction. I’d like to see a Fenway-sized recreation of my childhood wiffle ball field. It’d be an asphalt cul-de-sac with the bases and pitching rubber spraypainted in white, only the bases would be a regulation 90 feet apart and there’d be seating for 38,000.

Steve|
August 4, 2010 at 7:21 am |

The only time I remember a team wearing throwbacks in the preseason, was in 2002, when the ‘Skins wore the spear helmet throwbacks against the 49ers. I think that game was played in Japan. Also, in 2008, the Buffalo Bills wore their awesome blue throwbacks as a visiting team in a preseason game against the Redskins.

NickV|
August 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm |

In recent years the Dalls Cowboys have worn their 1960-1963 throwback unis in the preseason, at least one or two games. I distinctly remember them doing it in the Drew Bledsoe years.

The Jeff|
August 4, 2010 at 7:22 am |

Didn’t the Bills first wear their throwback uniform in the preseason?

I don’t see the point of doing the throwback at all here. They might as well just admit it’s only for the money. It’s not a milestone year or anything to celebrate. It’s just a “hey everyone else has an alt or throwback, we need one too”.

I’d rather see the blue pants or the silver trim come back, if anything.

scott|
August 4, 2010 at 8:12 am |

Isn’t the reason every team has an alt or a throwback to make more money?

Inkracer|
August 4, 2010 at 8:49 am |

Well, the Colts have had a 3rd Jersey for a while now, at least a marketing one. Per their website, you can still buy a Colts BFBS jersey, which has never seen the field.

Rick|
August 4, 2010 at 8:31 am |

Typo on Stirrup above, Paul.

Jet|
August 4, 2010 at 10:25 am |

If you mean “stirrvp”, it’s deliberate

And damn, all of those new stirrups look sweeeeeeeeet

-Jet

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 12:18 pm |

stirrvp and strype in the closer is always (sic)

Terry Proctor|
August 4, 2010 at 2:09 pm |

Hey, lighten up on TCK for shutting down in July. I’ve dealt with them at various times since the early 1970s when the only stirrup most of you knew about was on the mechanical pony you used to ride outside of the local supermarket. FYI most all of the sporting goods industry would shut down in July for employee vacations, repairs to machinery and yes, inventory. If El Presidente Obama take fifty-seven vacations a year I think we can allow TCK a little time off.

Piping Mike|
August 4, 2010 at 8:47 am |

I didn’t catch this during all the original news on the Rays’ stirrups, but I recall some discussion about some players not wearing true stirrups. They were mentioned as wearing socks with stripes. If you look at the link Marshall posted today – http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/common/medialib/264/200204.jpg – it appears to show one player wearing such socks. But at second glance, his stripes are lower. I suspect he double looped (as has been discussed on this site before) or otherwise is hiding the opening down in the shoe.

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 12:20 pm |

navy sani under the navy stirrup, not a sock.

flip|
August 4, 2010 at 4:15 pm |

I could understand a striped sock, but a navy sani under the stirrup, what’s up with that?

Andrew|
August 4, 2010 at 8:56 am |

The Bills and Titans (Oilers) wore throwbacks last year in the HOF game.

LI Phil|
August 4, 2010 at 9:07 am |

true…i did forget about last year’s HOF game, although the “50th season” AFL throwbacks were more of a league-wide (well, “original 8” of the AFL) celebration, not a team-specific throwback, and it was announced some of the teams would be wearing their throwbacks as many as four games during the regular season…

that was also a national-tv game (nbc sunday night football) as opposed to what is a 1:00 sunday afternoon game i’m guessing won’t be getting a lot of tv exposure…just seems odd

I was thinking the same thing! How could he forget that? Those Oiler unis were SWEET!

LI Phil|
August 4, 2010 at 2:00 pm |

mea culpa…i actually watched almost all of that game too, something i never do in the preseason, simply because of the unis

i guess i misremembered it being the opening MNF of last season (when we had two throwback games)…guess it’s too late now to refutiate it

/i need a new fictionary

Randy|
August 4, 2010 at 9:01 am |

The Colts throwback looks great… those of you crying that it’s only to make more money need to get a life and remember that you live under the blanket of capitalism… no one is forcing you to rush out and buy a throwback. GOOD GRIEF!

scott|
August 4, 2010 at 10:17 am |

Who’s crying? It’s just a statement of fact. Good Grief.

The Jeff|
August 4, 2010 at 10:19 am |

I won’t deny that I may need a life, but I fail to see what’s so great about this throwback. It isn’t even that different. When you’ve worn the same thing for over 50 years, throwing back to something that was used for one losing season doesn’t make any sense. If they were using their original uniform and this was their 60th season, ok. But, it’s their 3rd year uniform and it’s their 57th season. Why do we need a throwback again?

Is “for the money” really a good reason? NFL revenues are how high? Players and owners have how much money already?

It doesn’t even look good on the field when only one team is doing it. I mean, hell, if the NFL wants to toss in a few random Throwback games where both teams go back to the same era… it might almost be kinda cool. I’d have a much smaller problem with it if the game was going to be the 1955 Colts vs the 1955 49ers. But to see the ’55 Colts uniform vs the 2010 49ers… it’s just stupid.

LI Phil|
August 4, 2010 at 11:57 am |

“I won’t deny that I may need a life”

ahhhh…finally something we can agree on

as far as “what’s so great” about the throwbacks…well, that’s in the eye of the beholder, but like the broncos mustard & brown throwbacks, they’re a glimpse at history, not necessarily a “great” uniform

it’s nice to see the blue helmets, although the rest of the uniform pretty much resembles what they’ve worn for the past 50+ years…

at least they aren’t bringing back the godawful blue pants or introducing a black alternate

The Jeff|
August 4, 2010 at 12:20 pm |

Question: Do you also hate the blue pants that the Bills wore in the 70’s?

those fashion jerseys have been around a while…at one time or another, i’ve seen BFBS “alts” for the jets, chiefs and even the 49ers…i’ve also seen fashion jerseys for the packers…

im sure there are all colors of the rainbow for every team out there, if you look hard enough; just because they make one, and just because it’s on a teams “official” website, i wouldn’t put ANY stock in them…they get a cut of every one sold, so of course, if people are willing to buy them, teams are more than happy to oblige in selling them

black colts?

that’ll happen before the giants go back to blue pants

NickV|
August 4, 2010 at 3:30 pm |

Not a fan of the 1955 Colts unis – I believe the Blue/Home jersey version would be a better throwback.

If they REALLY wanted something special, why not wear the “original” Colts unis made famous in the movie “Diner”! Green and Silver !!!

If those are too “Baltimorecentric”, then why not wear the early 1980’s /Curtis Dickey uni with the gray pants, Gray numeral trim?

I just think the 1955 road uni is boooooooooooooring.

M.Princip|
August 4, 2010 at 11:44 am |

“The Colts throwback looks great…”

I could give a crap if it was a losing season, or it’s an attempt to make some money, etc. The fact is it’s a part of the team’s history and they look great. So, bring on those awesome blue helmets.

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 12:23 pm |

i like that they are white, since if the colts played in indy in 55 they would have been a road team. i also like that helmet. but one thing that always sort of bothered me about it is this, isn’t it sort of like they just got kicked in the back of a head by a bucking colt rendering them unconscious? maybe that’s why they were loser in bawlmer in 55.

M.Princip|
August 4, 2010 at 2:41 pm |

So, getting a single kick on each side of the head is better?

Joe|
August 4, 2010 at 9:17 am |

A while ago it was mentioned in the NFL preview that the Dallas Cowboys would be making a switch from their traditional pants which appear to have almost a green tint. It seems as though the change has been made as they are wearing true silver pants which actually seem to match the color of their helmets in training camp.

Those are probably just the silver pants that they wear with their blue jerseys. Notice the navy blue stripes as opposed to the royal blue stripes that were featured on the silver-green pants. The use of royal blue on the white jersey pants and socks coupled with the use of navy blue on the helmet and the blue jersey pants and socks is bad enough, but if they’re going to wear navy blue pant stripes and helmet graphics with royal blue numerals, sleeve stripes and socks when they wear their white ensemble, they just went from bad to worse. I would expect the ‘new’ pants to have royal blue stripes if indeed this rumor is true.

is it “just me or is the facemask in the photo look like the stubbiest facemask ever made?”

Ricky Williams, along with the other dreadlocked players, would never be able to wear that.

Andy|
August 4, 2010 at 11:12 am |

It’s a mini helmet. A certain brand of them, maybe the Schutt ones, have that strange mini snub mask.

JamesP.|
August 4, 2010 at 11:45 am |

Looks like a normal size helmet that has a too small facemask added…and it was installed too far back on the shell.

JamesP.|
August 4, 2010 at 11:47 am |

Damnit, nevermind. It is a mini…

marc|
August 4, 2010 at 9:52 am |

Is it me or is that blue Colts helmet the stupidest helmet ever? It looks like the player has been kicked in the back of the head by a cartoon horse. Alternate schmalternate… it sucks.

Bernard|
August 4, 2010 at 10:12 am |

I disagree. I think they’re cool. That’s part of the view you’d have of a horse as it ran away from you, which is presumably the view the team wanted opponents to have of their ball carriers.

Wasn’t that the original intent? Or am I making things up in my head?

LI Phil|
August 4, 2010 at 10:17 am |

it’s just you ;)

in all seriousness, the helmet is a relic of it’s time…only a few teams, in 1954, put any kind of decal or other ‘logo’ on their helmets (timmy b or one of the football historians could probably say how many) so it was kind of a novel approach to put horseshoes on a previously blank helmet; most helmets, if they had anything at all, had a stripe…

i like this theory, but i still see a bawlamoron being kicked in the head.

Ricko|
August 4, 2010 at 10:17 am |

Gonna review the new TV shows for the fall of ’55, too? ;)

Seems I read somewhere that the idea was for it too look like a horse was running away from you when you chased a Colt player from behind.

Gotta remember, 1955 was still extremely early in the “graphic on helmets” era, and teams were experimenting, learning what worked and what didn’t. Also, was only a few years after the “plus-sign” stripes atop the helmet was favored by some teams. To me, anyway, that was about as goofy a look as any.

Not exactly sure when the Eagles went to the eagle wings, but in 1955 I think only the Rams, Colts and Eagles had a graphic on their helmets. Everyone else had nothing or a a single stripe.

I would guess increasing TV exposure prompted moving the horseshoes to the side, where they show in more shots.

—Ricko

Gusto44|
August 4, 2010 at 10:50 am |

Absolutely love the Colts throwbacks, it’s yet another example of a good throwback. True, the exploits of those 1950s Colts weren’t seen by the folks in Indy, but that history shouldn’t be ignored. For the modern Colts, I think they should bring back those blue pants with the double white stripes.

In baseball, we definitely need to see Yankees, Cardinals, and Bosox throwbacks. No team is above honoring their own past, it would be a blast seeing these concepts.

Bernard|
August 4, 2010 at 10:30 am |

I’m sure I read that here. My memory just isn’t what it used to be.

marc|
August 4, 2010 at 10:38 am |

Oh yeah, I get the intent of it, I’m just saying it kinda looks goofy to me. As you guys said, “the helmet is a relic of it’s time” and teams were “learning what worked and what didn’t.” IMHO, this didn’t work so great. Seems to me they’d be better off going with the plain blue w/ white stripe they started off with. Then again, that’s my opinion and Bernard’s got the opposite, so it’s all good. :-)

It’s like a cross between the Stallions and the Calgary Stampeders…and you’re right – the horse should stay crimson. If they wanted a crimson helmet, they could have done the same as the old jersey sleeves. Just outline the horse in yellow.

Just don’t like that new Bronco logo…in Denver or anywhere else.

Ricardo Leonor|
August 4, 2010 at 10:50 am |

I thought the same thing when I saw that pic ( the other team is wearing Charger logos )!

JamesP.|
August 4, 2010 at 10:07 am |

Wonderful offerings, Commrad Robert! I will need to come up with the funds to get at least those Astros stirrups! They will look perfect with my rainbow-guts jersey.

traxel|
August 4, 2010 at 11:20 am |

Marshall keeps costing me $$$$$!!!!

JamesP.|
August 4, 2010 at 11:52 am |

Yeah, me too. I do wonder who had bought all of the stirrups Commrad Robert hasd offered.

I think I can convence my wife to at least let me order the Astros stirrups…

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 12:32 pm |

i may cost you cake, but if you get in on the “New”, i don’t make cake, it all goes to TCK or the USPS, so look at it that way. besides, i put myself in the poor house too. i obviously have every single one myself, plus a few extras, like blanks in every colour and size, sani’s out the ying~yang, etc. i am a full fledged freak, y’all are only nuts

JamesP.|
August 4, 2010 at 12:51 pm |

And we salute you, sir!

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 1:55 pm |

i know jpat, and thanks.

Joe Barrie|
August 4, 2010 at 7:05 pm |

Why aren’t the Cardinals’ stirrups done accurately? The uppermost and lowermost white stripes should be half the thickness of the middle two.

Numerous photographs confirm what I assert. In addition, I have a pair of authentic stirrups, if anybody cares to obtain them, please let me know.

RS Rogers|
August 4, 2010 at 2:04 pm |

I was almost driven to counterrevolutionary sabotage this morning by those Astros stirrups. I was forced to wear rainbow-gut unis two years running in little league, and let me assure you that sending preteen boys out to play baseball dressed in rainbow shirts is cruelty on a scale just this side of Dickens. Had no one considered what what hell of mockery rainbow-dressed boys would face from their peers, not only during games but all summer and into the next school year?

However, the awesomeness of the Rays and Dodgers ‘rups brought me to my senses, and I have renounced my momentary lapse in revolutionary discipline.

LI Phil|
August 4, 2010 at 2:29 pm |

so like…you won’t be getting the stros rup?

RS Rogers|
August 4, 2010 at 7:14 pm |

Scarred for life, Phil. Scarred for life.

duker|
August 4, 2010 at 10:09 am |

The Colts throwbacks look great. But they don’t belong in Indianapolis.

Jim Vilk|
August 4, 2010 at 10:31 am |

Maybe that’s why they’re wearing the road whites? It’s a subtle way to acknowledge these were Baltimore’s, not Indy’s, uniforms.

marc|
August 4, 2010 at 10:41 am |

Ooo… good analysis. Is the NFL that clever tho?

Ricko|
August 4, 2010 at 11:13 am |

Yes, they do. That’s where the franchise is now, and its history goes with it.

Cities and fans’ memories do not pre-empt that fact under some kind of imaginary “sports eminent domain,” no matter how much anyone wants to whine about it.

We don’t get to take credit for the beautiful women the guy who lived in our apartment before us dated. That’s his story ..and it went with him when he moved out.

—Ricko

traxel|
August 4, 2010 at 11:28 am |

Maybe so Ricko, but it still looks stupid to me to see Deacon Jones, Merlin Olson, Eric Dickerson, et.al. on the “ring of fame” around the Edward Jones Dome field in St.Louis. Honestly, do the people of St.Louis really care about long lost Los Angeles players? I know I didn’t when I lived there. And to have them mixed in with Dierdorf, Hart, and Wherli? That’s double dumb. But at least we get to see the names of St.Louis past with those guys. As a fan I think honoring the stars of that particular city is more important even if “ownership” of a particular brand has moved on. Maybe it’s two separate issues tightly entwined.

duker|
August 4, 2010 at 11:34 am |

Until you walk into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and see that Johnny U is listed under the Indianapolis Colts. That’s just wrong.

Ricko|
August 4, 2010 at 11:56 am |

No, it isn’t.
Lots of subjectivity flying around here.
The reality is that’s the franchise he played for, and it’s in Indianapolis now.
I know some don’t like it, but they really do need to learn to accept it without all the foot-stomping and righteous indignation.

Where else should the HOF list Unitas…under the Ravens?
I think not.

As I said, we can offer up lofty “should be’s” until we’re out of breath and it won’t change this fact: The Colts moved to Indianapolis from Baltimore, and another franchise is there now. Separate entities, separate histories.

Everything else is arguing over who’d win a fight between Superman and Mighty Mouse.

—Ricko

LI Phil|
August 4, 2010 at 11:59 am |

gotta go with superman there, rick

The Jeff|
August 4, 2010 at 12:13 pm |

If it wasn’t for the way the NFL handled the Browns/Ravens issue, I’d agree completely with Ricko.

But, if the Browns get to be treated as a single franchise with a 3 year gap in their history and the Ravens are a “new” team, why the heck can’t we list the Baltimore Colts and the Indianapolis Colts separately if we chose?

Team history should either travel with the team… or not. This crap where it does for most teams, but not all of them is just… well… it ain’t freakin right.

Ricko|
August 4, 2010 at 12:36 pm |

Yeah, that Browns fiasco really muddied the water.
And they’re the exception that proves the rule.
It created the illusion that a team’s history remains behind, floating in the air somewhere, above it’s former city.

If that were the case, it would mean that Harmon Killebrew hit some home runs for the Griffith Senators, but then he hit then for the expansion Senators…then they either went to Texas, reverted to the Twins or hung in the air over D.C. for almost 40 years until they became part of Nationals history.

And the batting records of John Boccabella and them? They’re suspended above Olympic Stadium…waiting, I guess.

Now, does everyone get what that sort of thing just does not work. In the words of Mr. Spock, “It’s illogical.”

—Ricko

traxel|
August 4, 2010 at 12:45 pm |

It’s wrong. Because the city of Baltimore didn’t strike a deal like the city of Cleveland doesn’t change the situation of FANS nostalgically remembering their childhood heros playing in certain historical places. Unitas is 98% Baltimore Colt and 2% Indy Colt.

Consider this. A Gremlin was made by American Motors. AMC was bought out by Chrysler. Chrysler was bought out by Mercedes. Was the Gremlin then a Mercedes? Maybe 2% so?

The player is more remembered by the city than it is the franchise he played for. When Unitas is honored at a Ravens game it doesn’t mean he’s an Art Modell guy. I doubt they give him a #19 purple jersey (who knows though). It just carries sincerity to the football fans of Baltimore as opposed to an Indy Colts game where it is simply a fake publicity stunt.

Not trying to get around the legalities of it all which Ricko is right. But we are people here and nostalgic people at that (especially on this site). Dierdorf and Wherli are St.Louis Cardinals. Olson and Jones are LA Rams. If a lawyer says there needs to be an astrisk saying the franchise has been relocated, whatever. But don’t try to feed me somewhere else’s history and say it’s now mine.

duker|
August 4, 2010 at 1:11 pm |

Ricko,

Unitas should be listed under the Baltimore Colts (and San Diego Chargers) because that’s where he played. Just like the LA Rams HOFers should be listed under LA Rams.

I understand the legality of it all. The Colts keep the franchise records and the Browns got to keep theres, which is fine.

My point is: Why do you have throwback uniforms? It’s to trigger that nostalgia in the fan. So that those fans feel the great history of their team. In Indy, that nostalgia started in 1983. If they throwback farther then that you’re just pissing off people in Baltimore.

(Of course, the real reason to have a throwback is merchandising…)

Ricko|
August 4, 2010 at 1:13 pm |

So fans taking only a hometown perspective and not bothering to investigate and gain some knowledge about the franchise that moved to town is acceptable?

“I don’t care about that, it didn’t happen here” narrowness is to be seen as the best someone can be expected to do? Not seeing past the end of their nose is a valid viewpoint?

As to a stadium’s Ring of Honor or some such…that’s the stadium/municipality recognizing greats who played that sport for any local team they choose to represent. Under that broad set of criteria, they can scramble and cross-pollenate them all they want.

But teams/franchises ought to both treasure their own history and respect the history of other organizations, not appropriate them as if they belong to no one because, well, by moving the teams somehow forfeited them to the community.

—Ricko

BurghFan|
August 4, 2010 at 3:22 pm |

“I don’t care about that, it didn’t happen here” narrowness is to be seen as the best someone can be expected to do?

Some of that’s true; do you think Washington fans feel any pain at the mention of Rick Monday’s name? (Apologies to Expo fans.)

The more important idea is “That happened here and I care about it.” When the Colts left Baltimore, Mayflower didn’t take the memories with them. The Johnny Unitas statue is outside the stadium in Baltimore, not Indianapolis.

Does that mean the Indianapolis Colts shouldn’t wear Baltimore-era throwbacks? Of course not. (I wish they’d found some in ’94.) But I have no problem with Baltimore fans saying “Those are our uniforms,” and I’d have no problem in the unlikely event that the Ravens would wear green throwbacks of the defunct Colts franchise.

Rick, I know that you in particular get excited about seeing some of these uniforms recreated. Your (our) selfish interest in that doesn’t mean that fans of a departed team can’t feel nostalgic, and even proprietary, over what they rooted for over the years, or that fans in the team’s new location have to embrace the team’s history with any kind of fervor.

flip|
August 4, 2010 at 4:30 pm |

Have to say, yes, Cleveland changed everything – and for the better. It’s a model that should be adopted by all leagues and retroactively.

Hometown fans are hometown fans. Johnny U was a Colt, but a Baltimore Colt. Statue in Baltimore, name belongs on the Baltimore stadium ring of honor.

Merlin Olson, Deacon Jones. et. al have no business on anything St. Louis even though they were Rams.

If this were done retroactively, we could get back to the Jazz in New Orleans. (Though at one time someone suggested a Hornets for Jazz nickname swap, which would make sense as Utah is the Beehive State.)

The Nationals have no ties to the Twin or the Rangers and tenuous ones to the Expos. Yet if someone wanted to honor Frank Howard, where would it make the most sense?

flip|
August 4, 2010 at 4:34 pm |

But gotta say, I’d like to see that Colts throwback on SOMEBODY.

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 12:39 pm |

isn’t it more like your girl leaving and denying she ever dated you?

timmy b|
August 4, 2010 at 1:28 pm |

If you want a throwback for Indy you can:

1) Add a splash of silver trimmed white jerseys or the silver pants with the horseshoes on hips like they wore when they first came to Indy.

2) Slap on the blue pants like it’s 1995.

Ricko|
August 4, 2010 at 1:44 pm |

So, basically, there is NO team that should ever wear a Colts uniform from prior to the move?

Must be, because apparently the only geography/history they can handle (or deem significant) is what’s happened inside their own area code and maybe a couple adjacent ones.

—Ricko

Ricko|
August 4, 2010 at 7:30 pm |

Again, Robert, it wasn’t a Baltimore jab.

It was a jab a the people who apparently don’t give Baltimore fans enough credit to be able to have both fond memories of the Colts and still be pissed at Irsay, to keep those emotions separate.

Those people are making it sound as if the Colts would be better to ignore their history in Baltimore, forget it altogether. How does that serve ANYONE?

And my other point was that it does, in fact, involve people in 28 other NFL cities and the rest of the country who might enjoy seeing a set of uniforms that rarely were seen in color and never on color TV. NFL history is wider and deeper than, in this case, the people in just two markets.

There are realities in life we all have to live with. Teams moving is one of them. Should I be pissed if the Lakers wear Mpls. Lakers unis? Why? They ARE the Lakers, after all; they’re entitled.

If I’m gonna be pissed, I should be pissed at the do-nothing’s here who didn’t build an arena the Lakers could call a permanent home. Jack Kent Cooke offers Bob Short an, at the time, other-worldly amount for the Lakers and I should blame Short for taking the deal under the circumstances?

I guess I’ll bow out of this discussion, because I come to the table with logic, and I forget that for others it’s an emotional thing. And they most certainly are entitled to that reaction.

—Ricko

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 10:40 pm |

okay rick, make a back handed comment about emotion vs. logic, claim you are on the right side of rain(as always), then grab the kickball and pout all the way home because you don’t want to play anymore. you seem to be able to tell the kids what for, so why can’t anybody tell you the same from time to time? and you know i am blunt for corn’s sake, get over it.

for the last time, it isn’t about just two cities, the indy-coats do have the right to wear the uniforms, and i would like to see them, we are in agreement, but for you to not understand why some people might not like it, or why they don’t want to see unitas or marchetti in the ring of honour is sticking your head in the sand the same as you accuse others of doing. here is a fact, humans have emotion, robots do logic exclusively, and both are necessary, you can’t ignore that rick, things are not just black and white always, and you don’t ride the white horse with the white hat every time. sometimes you could listen to what people say to you and consider their position, and i am not just talking about this instance.

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 2:13 pm |

mother of corn rick, you are soooo unbending, and your apartment analogy was weak at best, it’s more of a girl moving on and denying she ever dated you, all while stealing your favourite sweatshirt that she slept in and giving it to her new boy because it’s soft and confy, and not because it was yours. but i digress, i personally have no problem with them using the uniform,and think it looks great, i love love love it, but it ain’t indy either. and neither is johnny U, bert jones or anything else that happened in bawlmer. if you can’t see THAT fact, then you are just blind. should people care that it never played in indy? no, and maybe that is why it is white, but for you not to be able to understand any outcry is laughable. personally i root for the co(a)ts, because the uni is the same as it was when i was a kid. that is right up until they are about to win the super, when i suddenly say to myself, shit! this isn’t bawlmer. suuure rick, the irsay family owns the images of fatso and gino, the nfl champsions, the bowls, and nobody can deny the facts, but those memories are in the heart of bawlmer, not indy. and if you don’t mind your p’s and q’s about the intelligence of bawlamorons, you might get a visit from one who can show you where to cram some of those walnuts you just threw out there. don’t poke the bull rick, you might get the horns.

Ricko|
August 4, 2010 at 2:38 pm |

I was saying give Baltimore fans some credit, for Gods sake.

And I ask: So Indy fans can’t, or aren’t allowed to, appreciate any history of the team unless it happened while the team had offices within shouting distance of the Wabash?

And only Indianapolis and Baltimore fans matter in this discussion?

I saw color photos of those blue-helmeted, rear-horseshoed Colts for the first time late last year. I’d love to see what those unis look in like motion on the field. Live. Or at least kinda what they might have looked like.

But I guess my interest/appreciation/opinion doesn’t matter because I’ve never lived in Indianapolis or Baltimore. NFL fans are allowed to be involved only with the team from their city, or teams that have been from their city. I forgot that.

Hey, wait, I’ve BEEN to both cities. Does that permit any part of it to be aimed at people like me?

Probably not.

Shit. I was really looking forward to seeing them. But, y’know if it’s only relevant to two markets, then I guess the rest of us are left out, seeing as we aren’t entitled to be interested in something as radical as, y’know, the history of the entire NFL, not just our home team.

—Ricko

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 3:28 pm |

when did i say you were not allowed opinion rick? i never even hinted to that. i just said your response was cold to the hyper-sensitive feelings a bawlamoron might have about their stolen franchise, and acknowledged only a fact…yes, the coats are in indy, and indy owns the history, we all know that captain. the fact that it has been this long and some people still have not gotten over it might be a clue as to how strongly people feel about the city’s first pro team, AND how it was mayflowered. as for indy, sure they can have, and do have(i say happily) an understanding of their team’s rich history, that’s fab, celebrate it. i too want to see the uniform, as i clearly stated, i don’t care that indy never wore it. golly rick, did you even read what i wrote about your comment? all i said was your analogy was off base, and memories are made in places by the people who experienced them, and that i didn’t appreciate the bawlmer jab, what is so hard to understand about that?

Jim Vilk|
August 4, 2010 at 3:50 pm |

Wonder if LeBron used Mayflower Movers to take his stuff to South Beach…

duker|
August 4, 2010 at 5:19 pm |

Ricko,

Uni-watch isn’t based on logic. It’s based on personal tastes and emotion. Why does everyone here hate purple? Because PL told us to? I don’t hate purple. I’m a Ravens fan. I love purple.

But I’d also love to hate purple. I’d love it if my team in Baltimore still wore blue horseshoes.

You said, “So, basically, there is NO team that should ever wear a Colts uniform from prior to the move?”

In my opinion, yes. It’s in bad taste.

“And I ask: So Indy fans can’t, or aren’t allowed to, appreciate any history of the team unless it happened while the team had offices within shouting distance of the Wabash?”

They’re quite allowed to appreciate the history. But it’s the same way I appreciate the history of the Buffalo Bills. I wasn’t there, but I liked them and watched them on TV for 13 years when I didn’t have a team of my own.

In Baltimore, we still hate the Colts, and we still hate the Irsay family. The hatred for the Colts is fading with each season that the Ravens are successful (although losing to the Colts in the playoffs seems to bring that hatred back a little bit). But I think the biggest problem, for me at least, is that the Colts are still the best looking team in the NFL. So we see our “new” team which plays well but doesn’t look as beautiful as our old one, and it hurts.

The management at Bristol Motor Speedway had tried several times to get a match between Virginia Tech and Tennessee, each just about equidistant from Bristol (I think) in front of the full, modern bowl of 170,000 seats. They can’t really do it now because there’s a big scoring pylon in the middle of the track, but it would’ve been neat to see how it’d work out.

Doug in GA|
August 4, 2010 at 5:15 pm |

I’ve driven that stretch of I-81 a lot. Blacksburg is farther away than Knoxville, but both are with 2 hours or so. I would LOVE to see this game happen.

I know about the decal on the Buckeye helmet. I mean I saw it before. But I do not know the story behind it. Huge Buckeye fan I am.

LarryB|
August 4, 2010 at 11:05 am |

Glad to see the Colts will be wearing the blue helmet this year. And I too always like to know or wonder about the 1st few teams to use a logo or decal.

The Colts were an early one as we know.

NFL Fan 4ever|
August 4, 2010 at 11:12 am |

LarryB,

“The LA Rams were the first professional American football team to have a logo on their helmets. Ever since halfback Fred Gehrke, who worked as a commercial artist in off-seasons, painted ram horns on the team’s leather helmets in 1948, the logo has been the club’s trademark.”

If MG’s helmet site (http://mghelmets.com/) is to be believed, the Colts were either the 2nd or 3rd team to do it, as apparently both they and the Eagles added logos in 1954. I doubt we’ll ever know which one did it first between those 2. The Redskins added the feather-stripe in ’58, and then pretty much everyone else jumped on board in 1961 & 62, with the Browns being the only team with no logo after 1963 – with the exception of the 1967 Broncos (and the 1976 Seahawks). :P

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 12:50 pm |

did the 76 hawks go the whole year or just the preseason jeff? i am not sure, was it the whole season?

I was a Seahawks fan/obsessor from Day One, and they ALWAYS wore logos helmet for EVERY PRESEASON & REGULAR SEASON GAME! They may have gone without logos in PRACTICE, or SCRIMMAGES, but they ALWAYS wore helmet logo decals in EVERY GAME that they sold tickets for.

Re. wearing throwbacks in the preseason, I thought I heard someone (here?) once say that they didn’t like wearing new gear (helmets in particular) for the first time in a real game, they wore them in practice and preseason games to get them broken in and get any bugs out before the games matter.

Re. logos on the rear of the helmet, my initial take on the 1950s helmet is that with the ear “bulge” on the side of the helmet, the rear of the helmet was the largest space available for a logo. Did a lot of helmets from that era (with that design) feature logos on the sides?

Giancarlo|
August 4, 2010 at 12:11 pm |

I would like to see some team throw back to the original, green Baltimore Colts – the team that started in the AAFC & played only one season (1950) in the NFL. Trouble is, I think they were the last NFL team to just completely fold instead of relocating somewhere.

I would like to see Indianapolis throw back to wearing full shoulder loops.

flip|
August 4, 2010 at 2:25 pm |

Here, here on the shoulder loops. Not so much on the green.

Gusto44|
August 4, 2010 at 12:53 pm |

Does anyone know where I can purchase historically accurate WFL team helmet decals for a full size helmet? I have a mid 1970s white helmet I’d like to convert. Thanks.

NickV|
August 4, 2010 at 3:45 pm |

First try EBAY, as you may get lucky and that is probably the least expensive way. Second, try Helmet Hut – they sell the made-up close-to-authentic replicas, and they may or may not sell decals. Finally, there is a company named “Sports Star” in texas that sells (sold in the 1990s) NFL throwback decals and may have WFL.

I saw “throwback” boxes of Captain Crunch and Captain Crunchberries at the store today. The Crunchberries had the multi-colored berries of today. I would have thought that they would have stuck with the classic red. I couldn’t help but think about the Colts.

I think Favre is a different scenario. Most great players go to another team to die quietly. Favre put together a monumental season last year. In my opinion, he’s more of a Viking than a Packer. Crazy as it sounds.

The 1975 New York Giants uniforms should be permanently erased from our collective memories….I wish I had a time machine to go back and slap them silly. They were beyond horrible…but then again it was the 70s..and the unis were as bad as the team….

I sometimes wonder if decent uniforms are lumped together with poor on-field performance. If the Giants wore those blue pants during the Parcells years, fans may look at them differently. Personally, I like the blue pants with the Pitt Panther striping pattern on the sleeves.

Ricardo Leonor|
August 4, 2010 at 6:08 pm |

Gusto you may have a point. To a certain degree, I remember being a little kid and the Giants were horrible…I remember being so jealous of the Cowboys because they kept winning AND they had cool uniforms…while my team always sucked AND they had to wear this:

So yeah, maybe if the team was good those years, the uni may be remembered more fondly..but I still think they were ugly.

As a matter of fact, I am not very fond of the Parcells / LT / Simms unis. The home blue was ok, but the road whites were horrible and they actually wore white at home for a season. So they did win a couple of Superbowls and quite a few big games ( think Bavaro carrying the entire Niners team ) in these, but I still dont exactly think of them as great unis…

Judy|
August 4, 2010 at 3:45 pm |

[quote]We start with a big thank you to the Tampa Rays for this slump buster. Some here have derided the stirrup for [b]it’s[/b] columbia and white stripes being too similar in shade, but i think that preposterous.[quote]

I hate to be an annoying member of the Grammar Police, but I’ve seen this too frequently lately on this blog to let it go.

It’s = a contraction of “it is”
Its = a possessive pronoun. As with “hers”, “his”, “ours”, and “theirs, there is no apostrophe needed

Judy|
August 4, 2010 at 3:46 pm |

…now if I could only get the tags right.

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 3:51 pm |

every time i write i let it fly, and try not to over think it, or i will bog down. then i go back and fix things like taking out bad contractions, and other 3rd grade mistakes, while skipping the sic. i missed that one, good call, but pointing out my grammar foibles is sort of a fish in a barrel situation:)

Punctuation policepeople are a drag. The current drive by e-times of message boards have us writing in concepts. I say leave the grammatical perfectness up to the professionals. That’s Paul, Phil, and whoever else writes the main passages (paid or unpaid). For us commentators down here, please don’t waste space on it’s and its. We know the difference. When it affects (effects?) the concept of what is being written, chime in at will. Otherwise, just let it go.

LarryB|
August 4, 2010 at 4:47 pm |

Now if somebody had a list of the 1st college teams to add logos

From what I know possible Air Force added the lightning bolt possibly 1st. I am no sure about it though.

marc|
August 4, 2010 at 5:44 pm |

Do Michigan’s wings count or was that just a painted over feature of the helmet “landscape?”

Interesting, Hawaii should bring that back as a throwback. Also, strange Hawaii switched to a Notre Dame type gold helmet for the late 1960s-early 70s out of the blue. Helmet Hut is a great site, but I have game film of Hawaii wearing gold helmets as far back as 1967, not 1970.

Agreed on HH. I love their reproductions and research but sometimes they are incorrect. I have some B&W of Hawaii from 1965 sporting gold helmets AND what I believe to be green helmets with white #s in another game…

Matt|
August 4, 2010 at 5:42 pm |

Oh man those Phillies stirrups look sweet! I’ve already ordered two pairs. Now if I could only find pants to match- anybody know of a source?

noticed that in both pictures of the bears players wearing “rush men” shirts with jerseys, the nfl equipment collar logo was blacked out. anyone know what the reason for that is? also, the third picture the guy was wearing a number 71 jersey but his helmet had 99 on it.

Casey (Davis, CA)|
August 4, 2010 at 7:00 pm |

The Calgary Flames have unveiled their uniforms for the NHL’s Heritage Classic:

I think this is an underground marketing attempt by McDonald’s to make a team full of Ronald McDonald’s.

traxel|
August 4, 2010 at 9:17 pm |

Whoah dude. Are those pants white? I kinda like it from an “I love all bright colors and no black” point of view.

One thing on the collar laces. I think they certainly look cool. But their function is really nonexistant. They usually put a little tiny string instead of a big fat lace in their, even on the new ones. You even see many players take it out completely. I say either make it a big fat lace or make it a fixed elastic lace that doesn’t tie and can’t be taken out. It just seems kind of worthless as it is currently designed on many teams. Looks cool, but make it work better. More engineering please.

rpm|
August 4, 2010 at 9:46 pm |

i would prefer the lanny macdonald’s, but i don’t mind these at all, love this color combo.

I believe the rule for throwback usage is that the team can ear it 1x in preseason and 2x regular season. Might be wrong on that tho.

And i like the blue Colts pants, too.

traxel|
August 4, 2010 at 9:21 pm |

Colts blue pants, Giants blue pants, Bills blue pants. Bring ’em all back. And they all have to be flat, not shiney.

LI Phil|
August 4, 2010 at 10:05 pm |

matte, not flat, is good

shiny is horrible

but the only team that should wear blue pants is that glorified AFL team playing inside the ed jones dome

traxel|
August 4, 2010 at 10:57 pm |

Concepts, Phil. We speak in concepts. Matte, flat, fuzzy, velvet, ya know, not silky, shiney, sparkly, glittery. And the Rams need yellow pants. But they are still the LA Rams. They just play their home games in St.Louis.

dutchterp7|
August 4, 2010 at 9:13 pm |

I was a huge Baltimore Colts’ fan. I’m sure Bob Irsay is settled comfortably in hell waiting to welcome Georgie.
I adopted the Ravens (and I don’t mind purple)(and their alts are not bfbs, it’s a team color.), but it still hurts to see those great unis in Indy.
Ricko, loved your research on the Colts’ uniform history last Super Bowl. Are you sure they had the shoulder looped jerseys in 1957? http://www.checkoutmycards.com/Cards/Football/1958/Topps/74/Bert_Rechichar
Might just be a training camp photo with the previous year’s jersey.

LI Phil|
August 4, 2010 at 9:58 pm |

ricko & timmy b were a tremendous help to me with that article…but timmy is about as good as it gets when it comes to uni IDs…

i can state, with about 99% certainty, that the shoulder loops and double striped pants were worn for the entire 57 season — now, could that pic be from training camp in 57? that’s entirely possible…it’s also very possible they took a bunch of shots in 1956 and just reused one for the 58 card, assuming no one would notice…or it may not be a 58 card (i don’t know enough about football cards to know that answer)

if ricko or timmy is still reading at this hour, perhaps they can confirm